Criminal Defense

Judge: Police violated rights Drug & gun charges dropped

BY MELISSA BUSCH
COURIER TIMES

Drug and gun charges were dropped against a 22-year-old Bristol man after a judge ruled that his constitutional rights were violated when police directed him to talk although they had not seen him commit a crime.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office on Monday dismissed all charges against Darius Newton including possession with the intent to deliver crack cocaine and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Newton was arrested at about 1 a.m. on June 5, 2005, after police were called to the 100 block of Buckley Street about music blaring from a car stereo.

Newton, who was standing next to the car, walked away as police approached.

Police instructed Newton to come back and talk to them.

Newton then dropped "a dark-colored object," which turned out to be a black semiautomatic handgun, between a car and the sidewalk before he walked back, police said.

Police found the gun and then searched him, according to court records. Newton, police said, was carrying $243 and a sandwich bag containing crack cocaine.

Defense attorney Michael Parlow said police were not justified in telling Newton to come back and talk to them.

"They did not see any criminal activity on his behalf when the officer directed him to come back," Parlow said. "He was standing next to a car that was playing loud music. He wasn't the driver. He wasn't the owner. He hadn't committed any crime in front of the officer when he was directed to come back."

Bucks County Judge David Heckler ruled this week that Newton's rights had been violated and then suppressed the gun and the drugs from coming into evidence at his trial.

The suppression of evidence triggered the DA's office to dismiss the charges.

Reprinted with permission from Bucks County Courier Times

Personal Injury

Lisa, Dennis, myself and our family would like to thank you for your work on Lisa's case. We feel certain that, if not for you, the outcome would have been much different. We also want to thank you for your kindness at a very difficult time. Not only are you an excellent attorney, you are a kind an genuine human being.

Hi Mike, this is John. I just wanted to write you a letter thanking both you and your assistant Christine for everything you've done for me. When you were representing me, I felt a sense of security and that was very comforting and relieving. I will absolutely recommend you and your services to friends and family in the future.

Thank you so much in preparing me for my defense. You made a very difficult situation easier to handle and understand. Much appreciated.
Sincerely, Earole L.

A court said Fourth Amendment rights were violated when police entered without a warrant. Prosecutors had no choice but to drop the charges against an accused drug dealer who was caught with his pants down.Read More. >

Drug and gun charges were dropped against a man after a judge ruled that his constitutional rights were violated when police directed him to talk although they had not seen him commit a crime.Read More. >

Faced with the prospect of going into court without any evidence, testimony or witnesses, the Bucks County DA dropped all charges against a man accused of transporting $100,000 worth of cocaine.Read More. >

The jury decided Joseph Kieffer did not rape his ex-girlfriend, but jurors said he did assault her. He faces 21/2 to 5 years in prison. A Bucks County jury yesterday acquitted a man charged with raping his ex-girlfriend, but found him guilty of simple assault, reckless endangerment and making threats against her.Read More. >